Best of 2022: Wedding Dogs

Posted on January 18, 2023

Your wedding is a time to celebrate with those you love – including your pets! We love dogs at weddings, and hope these moments inspire you to include your pup in your big day.

Keep reading below for our editor’s picks for Best of 2022, and see who you voted for as your favorite in our Readers Choice Awards!

Cutest Cork Thief

This little pup quite literally stole the show during the couple’s engagement shoot! We’ve never seen a cuter thief than this one.

Photo: Allison Macy Photography.

Furever in Love

A beautiful, sunny day at the very dog-friendly Phineas Swann Inn & Spa makes for a perfect wedding, and this canine duo approves!

The Party Animal

Check out that smile on this dog, lounging at its owners feet while they share a cheers at their wedding bar. It’s clear that this party pooch is ready to stir up some fun!

Photo: Blooming Photo Company

The Loyal Companion

This whimsical wedding at Wild Sugar Homestead included a sweet companion walking the bride down the aisle, making one of the biggest moments of the day even more memorable!

Photo: Hallie Jade Pictures

On the Run (Readers Choice Awards)

Cheddar the dog was thrilled to be included in his parent’s big day. His “my-humans-just-got-married” excitement is contagious!

Photo: Kate Seymour Photography

Petal Pup

This sweet pup came dressed in style to match the bride and groom! Decorated dog collars and leashes are always in style, and this pup beautifully rocked one.

Photo by Jenna Brisson Photography

Rolling in Love

This Dog of Honor could hardly contain their excitement that their humans were getting married, and began rolling around (with a huge smile!) during the start of the wedding ceremony. Pure happiness!

Photo: Keith MacDonald Photography.

The First Love

Our bonds with our dogs run deep! This bride took a moment to acknowledge their special relationship on her wedding day, complete with a “I loved her first” sign and an adorable tutu that matches her bridal bouquet.

Phoot: Margaret Michael Photography

At Attention

This attentive pooch cracks me up! The little paw propped up on the table? The ears cocked forward listening to a speech? Absolutely priceless!

Photo: Hannah Photography

Suited Up

Further proof that everyone looks great in a tux! This dapper dog matched the groom (who wore a McNeil & Reedy tux) during this wedding at the Grafton Inn.

Photo by: Mountain Hearts Photography

All Dressed Up

This pup’s green velvet dress is too cute! Equal parts elegant and excited, this special guest was picture-ready for her owner’s winter wedding.

Photo: Juniper Studios.

Puppy Kisses

Nothing beats a sweet kiss from your pup, especially when it’s after your beautiful ceremony at Sugarbush Resort!

Photo: Morgan Provost

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BEST OF 2021: DETAILS & DESIGN

Posted on December 16, 2021

From traditional and elegant to boho and casual, a couple’s style informs each design choice and detail on their wedding day. Here are a few of our favorite details and designs from 2021 Vermont weddings.

Love this post? We’re sharing our “semi finalist” picks on Instagram. Go check it out for even more inspiration!

Fresh & Floral

As a nod to the groom’s Georgia roots, Lindsey added whole and halved peaches into Clayton Floral’s amazing green garlands (also peep that archway installation – it’s UNBELIEVABLE), and painted custom place cards, menus and table numbers to include peaches as well. This Maquam Barn wedding is definitely a highlight of the year. (Photo: Julia Luckett Photography)

(Read the full wedding story)

The Bold & Beautiful

This “camp” inspired lakeside wedding designed by I Dews Design & Events was equal parts fun, beautiful, and sentimental. Their wedding incorporated nods to their family, including the groom’s grandfather’s UVM beer stein in their tablescapes. (Photo: Obsidian)

A Celebration of Cakes

Why have one cake when you can have a whole table of them? We love this display of multiple cakes (we especially love the gold brushstroke design) by The Goose Chase Cake Designs. It creates a huge visual impact and provides a variety of flavor options for guests! (Photo: Dear Edith & Lily)

Fresh & Festive

The chandeliers, the drapery, the neon sign and the pink tufted chairs … we can’t get enough of this design by Jaclyn Watson Events. It’s classically beautiful, but with a bit of a fresh update! (Photo: Rodeo & Co)

Elegance Under the Tent

NJOY Weddings & Events created a timeless, romantic reception tent for this Hildene wedding. We especially love how the tent glows after dark from the strands of twinkling lights that highlight the tent’s drapes. Total modern romance! (Photo: Corinne Parker)

Love-Inspired Logo

This couple, both graphic designers, designed their own (super cool) wedding logo, and made these candles – holders and all – as gifts for all their guests. (Photo: K Lenhart Photography)

A Stand Out Seating Chart

This seating chart floral display by Nectar and Root is one of the most unique, lovely design choices we’ve seen this year. It’s a small sample of the gorgeousness that is this wedding by Lindsey Leichthammer Events at the Inn at Grace Farm is gorgeous. (Photo: Jenna Brisson Photography)

(Read the full wedding story)

Love Notes

The bride, a teacher, asked her students to write down what love and marriage mean to them. The resulting cards are sweet, adorable, and unique additions to each table. (Photo: Love Wins Photography)

Dinner Party Goals

This al fresco dinner party at The Grafton Inn is stunning; we love the bright florals and lanterns down the center of the table. It’s casually elegant, and oh-so-fun. (Photo: Loveland Creative)

Paradise Found

We love how The Linen Shop’s neutral table liners show off the long farmhouse tables and lay the perfect backdrop for the lush greenery. Topped off with oodles of greenery and twinkling lights, and we feel like we’re in a garden paradise! (Photo: Cassi Claire)

A DIY Dream

Both wedding filmmaker Madison Anne Studio and photographer Juniper Studios highlighted this gorgeous boho wedding. The bride handmade many of the decor pieces, including the incredible crochet ceremony backdrop.

Thank you to everyone who submitted for the Best of 2021 series! Don’t forget to check out our “semi finalists” on Instagram, and sign up for our newsletter to get each Best of post emailed to you weekly this month!

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Quick recap: what is Vermont Weddings Best of 2021 Series?

A little backstory if you’re unfamiliar: we started the Best of series last year (2020) to highlight some of the amazing work by the talented teams in the Vermont wedding industry. It’s an opportunity to both celebrate a year’s worth of weddings and inspire couples who are planning a future Vermont wedding. (A quick note on the word “best”: the intention isn’t to make this a competition between weddings, but to share a small, but representative, sample of the weddings in Vermont this year. To that end, please know that we love each and every wedding that was submitted, and the final picks are carefully chosen based on a variety of factors to create a compelling series.)

Here’s what you can expect:

All December, we’ll be rolling out inspiring stories in various categories:

Read Now: Best of Engagements
Read Now: Best of Style
Read Now: Best of Flowers
Read Now: Best of Party Animals
Best of Design & Details
Best of Elopements
Best of Location
Best of Community

Plus, because the submissions were just THAT good, we’re sharing our “semi finalist” picks for each category on Instagram. That means you’ll want to follow us to see even more highlights, and come back to the blog each week to see the “best” picks in each category.

We recommend signing up for our newsletter – we’ll send you an email each week with the highlights so you won’t miss a thing. (Going forward we only send 1 – 2 emails a month.)

BEST OF 2021: PARTY ANIMALS

Posted on December 14, 2021

For these 2021 Vermont weddings, the biggest party animals were of the four-legged variety! Vermont is a dog paradise, and when it comes to weddings, many couples choose to involve their furry family members in their special day! Scroll down to see our favorite wedding animals from 2021.

Love these pups? We’re sharing our “semi finalist” picks on Instagram. Go check it out for even more inspiration!

Pup in Petals

This doggo is pawsatively rocking her floral collar! (Photo: Juniper Studios)

Dandy Doodle

Spooner the labadoodle has a lovable, ruffled look, and she’s ready for the camera to capture her big smile up close! Odyssey Events (Photo: Oliver Parini Photography)

Cute Wedding Crasher

This puppy sported a “wedding crasher” bandana and was a beloved guest at this couple’s backyard wedding! (Photo: Madison Anne Studio)

Loyal Companion

This couple knew they couldn’t celebrate their Inn at Grace Farm wedding (planned by Lindsey Leichthammer Events) without their faithful companion, Truman, by their side. Friends helped the senior dog down the aisle, and he patiently and lovingly watched the whole ceremony. (Photo: Jenna Brisson)

The Golden Boy

This couple’s golden boy, Theo, dressed up in his own tux for their elegant wedding at the Wilburton Inn! (Photo: Kelsey Regan Photography)

The Baaaad Romance

There is nothing sheepish about these adorable farm guests who came by to wish the couple well at their Farmhouse Flowers wedding! (Photo: Taylor Main Photography)

Flower Girl

Luna was excited to take a walk down the aisle with her parents as the official flower girl! (Photo: MoHo Photo)

A Perfect Pair

This couple celebrated their wedding at The Grafton Inn with their two best buds their side, both dressed to impress! (Photo: Loveland Creative)

***

Quick recap: what is Vermont Weddings Best of 2021 Series?

Here’s what you can expect:

All December, we’ll be rolling out inspiring stories in various categories:

Read Now: Best of Engagements
Read Now: Best of Style
Read Now: Best of Flowers
Best of Party Animals
Best of Design & Details
Best of Elopements
Best of Location
Best of Community

We recommend signing up for our newsletter – we’ll send you an email each week with the highlights so you won’t miss a thing. (Going forward we only send 1 – 2 emails a month.)

Wedding Barns We Love

Posted on March 8, 2021

Barn weddings are practically synonymous with Vermont Weddings. Whether it’s the ceremony or the reception site, rustic or elegant, barns can be the perfect place to host your Vermont wedding. Here are a few of our favorite barn venues throughout the state.

Farmhouse Flowers

Nestled among the gardens, The Barn at Farmhouse Flowers (Moretown) offers you the beauty and warmth of a hand-crafted timber frame barn built by local master craftsmen. The Barn opens onto a hillside pasture and a walking path that crosses a small bridge and leads to the hilltop wedding site. Surrounded by wildflowers, the hilltop site overlooks the flower farm, cornfields and views of the Worcester Mountain Range.

Maquam Barn & Winery

Situated on over 500 private acres, The Maquam Barn (Milton) is a beautifully reconstructed historic Vermont barn. The Barn offers air conditioning and heat, plenty of seating, and views of the operating vineyard and mountains from the expansive patio.

The Mansfield Barn

Originally built in the 1840’s, the Mansfield Barn (Jericho) is a meticulously renovated post and beam barn. Located at the foot of Mount Mansfield, the barn provides views of the Mountain, and beautiful natural landscape in any season.

Barnard Inn & Max’s Tavern

The historic Barnard Inn & Max’s Tavern (Barnard) offers a 1796 brick chateau, a renovated reception barn, and acres of perennial gardens and paths to explore and enjoy for your ceremony and reception. The Inn’s celebrated cuisine is always freshly-prepared and seasonally-inspired, crafted by award-winning Chef Will Dodson.

The Grafton Inn

Nestled within a quintessential Vermont country village, The Grafton Inn (Grafton) merges Vermont’s pastoral heritage with its modern charms. Adjacent to the main inn is the Phelps Barn, which was once a carriage house and now serves as a beautiful reception space with ample room for dining and dancing. Lodging is available on site.

The Inn at Grace Farm

The Grace Barn at the Inn at Grace Farm (Fairfax) is a gorgeous, round timber-frame barn built from lumber from the acres it sits on! The Barn overlooks rolling hills, and sweeping mountain vistas. The Barn can be enjoyed year-round thanks to comfortable radiant floor heating. Guest suites are available at the Inn.

Old Lantern Inn & Barn

The Old Lantern Inn and Barn (Charlotte) is an all-inclusive, chef-owned wedding venue. Couples enjoy the charm of the historic barn and the ease of planning with the team’s commitment to providing superior service. The on-site Inn provides a convenient lodging option.

The Soule House & Carriage Barn

Couples who envision an intimate, rustic wedding with a touch of vintage elegance will love The Soule House & Carriage Barn (Fairfield). The historic barn provides a perfect backdrop for a reception, and the Farmhouse provides an elegant, cozy spot to spend a weekend with loved ones.

Sleepy Hollow Inn

Excited by the idea of outdoor adventure for your wedding weekend? Check out Sleepy Hollow Inn (Huntington). The bright and airy 17-sided round barn overlooks a gorgeous view of Camel’s Hump. Guests are invited to camp on the property and explore over 30 miles of trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.

Common Ground Center

Couples looking to celebrate in the Vermont countryside will enjoy the Common Ground Center (Starksboro). The property provides a 1,000 square foot Hay Barn, a cathedral-like space perfect for a wedding ceremony, and a rustic reception hall for perfect for dinner and dancing the night away.

Skinner Barn

In the Mad River Valley, the Skinner Barn (Waitsfield) is a historic dairy barn originally built in 1891. Of classic post and beam construction, the upper floor (originally designed for hay storage) has been restored with loving attention to keep the historical character of the structure intact.

BEST OF 2020: ELOPEMENTS & MICROWEDDINGS

Posted on December 21, 2020

Given gathering restrictions this year, small microweddings and elopements were popular choices for couples in 2020. Every wedding is wonderful in its own way, so narrowing down the “best” in this category is truly impossible. That said, here are a few special moments that stood out from these beautiful, intimate wedding celebrations.

Mountain High

This couple braved the mountain for a truly dreamy elopement.

Danielle Allendorf Photography

Autumn Jewel

This intimate wedding is inspired by autumn in Vermont with beautiful jewel-toned amber and burgundy accents and florals.

Sugarbush Resort | Anne Lee Photography

Confetti Celebration

The colorful confetti toss is the perfect complement to this couple’s exuberant joy.

Ben Hudson Photography

Pond Side Bliss

The rug and floral arrangement anchor the couple’s ceremony, and their beloved dogs get in on the celebration.

Sterling Ridge Resort | Jenna Brisson Photography

New England Charm

This couple celebrates their beautiful, heartfelt wedding in an idyllic New England setting.

Grafton Inn | Loveland Creative

A Canoe Built for Two

A canoe ride on your wedding day? Why not! This couple enjoys a special moment alone before rejoining friends and family to celebrate.

Odyssey Events | Back of the Moon

Falling in Love

This vow exchanges feels both intimate and epic under a canopy of towering trees in full color.

Jessica Notargiacomo

Pretty as a Picnic

A picnic reception is such a fun twist, and this one is lovely, festive, and intimate.

Lareau Farm Inn | Amanda Young Photography

Cheerful Cheers

Virtual weddings were popular this year, and this couple was all smiles as they toasted to guests online during their beachfront wedding.

Ben Hudson Photography | Burlington Surf Club

Elegant Estate

The mansion, the gardens, the sunlight… this whole wedding is straight out of a fairytale.

Hildene | Jesse Schloff

THIS IS WHAT A FALL HYGGE WEDDING IN VERMONT LOOKS LIKE

Posted on September 15, 2020

Have you heard of “hygge?” It’s a word for a quality of coziness, and today’s wedding at the Grafton Inn embodies it fully! Shauna and Brenden were enchanted by the Inn’s New England bed and breakfast charm to set the stage for their cozy fall wedding.

Colette Kulig captured their magical day. Grab a blanket and curl up to check out the full gallery below.

More Real Vermont Wedding Inspiration

Be sure to check out more posts of our real Vermont wedding posts here.

GRAFTON INN | Photography: COLETTE KULIG PHOTOGRAPHY | Wedding Planner: EHMANN EVENTS | Floral Design: PETALS FLORAL DESIGN